News

Nirma University had organized a personality contest as a part of NUZEAL-2018, a cultural festival of University on 1st and 2nd February, 2018. It consisted of two rounds involving ramp walk as per the themes of Ethnic and Western wear and a question answer round. Ms. Rajvi Chokshi, M.Sc. Biochemistry student from Institute of Science, Nirma university, won the title of Miss Nirma 2018 in personality contest, main event. It is a matter of pride for the Institute to have the title for the second consecutive year. News of this contest was also published in Gujarat Samachar and Sandesh News Papers.

Dr. Kirti Verma, Assistant Professor, Institute of Science, Nirma University, presented a paper on “Pufferfish skin collagens and their role in inflation” in 20th International Conference on Marine Biotechnology and Resources, held during January 29-30, 2018 at Sydney, Australia. She explained the remarkable anatomical features that are unique to pufferfish and explained the role of collagen fibers in the skin of pufferfish which provide enormous stretching under inflated conditions.

She was awarded with “Best Paper Presentation Award” by the program committee as per the conference awards scheme.

Professor Minaxi Desai from Institute of Cancer Sciences, Manchester, UK visited Institute of Science on 17th February, 2018 for discussion regarding research on human papillomavirus associated with cancer of oral cavity and cervix. She is a renowned cytopathologist with a valuable contribution in the field of awareness and prevention of cervical cancer, and detection of HPV virus. She has been conferred prestigious awards like ‘Commander of British Empire,’ National clinical Excellence Silver Award for the services to NHS; Erica Wachtel Award from the British Association for Cytopathology and was selected as a Torch bearer for the London 2012 Olympics due to her contributions in raising awareness of cervical screening in ethnic minority women in UK and in the developing world. She delivered very interesting talk on the topic of HPV and cancer which was followed by questions and discussion. Dr. Desai visited the laboratory facility and interacted with faculty members. Dr. Sonal Bakshi, Institute of Science, coordinated the event.

Institute of Science organized Public Lecture on 6th Feb. 2018 by Prof. Sen Pathak, Ph.D., F.N.A.Sc., distinguished Research Professor from Department of Genetics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center USA.
Prof. Pathak delivered a talk on 'Genomic Modification in Cancer Development: Role of Giant Cells in Cancer Metastasis' which included an overview of cancer biology with recent research regarding cancer stem cells, the role of telomere attrition and experiments regarding novel mode of cell division. Prof. Sen Pathak was on two days' visit to Nirma University for public lecture and interaction with post-graduate and Ph.D. students, and faculty members to discuss regarding cancer biology academics and research at Institutes of Science and Pharmacy. A meeting with International Relation office of Nirma University was also arranged by Dr. Mehul Naik to explore the possibility of collaboration.

The eighth meeting of Alumni Association of Institute of Science (ISNUAA) was held on 30th December, 2017 at IPNU Seminar Hall between 11:15-4:00 pm. The meeting was attended by all teaching and non-teaching staff members of Institute of Science.
The program started with prayer and lighting of lamp. Dr. Sonal Bakshi, Vice President, ISNUAA, explained the significance of alumni reunion and growth of the institution. Prof. Sarat Dalai, Director, ISNU, also addressed the gathering emphasizing on role of alumni in development of their alma mater. He suggested on greater cooperation and interaction between alumni and the Institute.

Some of the former students were invited on the stage for addressing and inspiring current students. They expressed satisfaction on what they have gained from Institute and expressed their delight in seeing the progress of Institute. Cultural programmes were organized for the entertainment where current students actively participated. A delicious lunch was served for all the members during which they did not miss the opportunity to interact with each other.

The General Body Meeting was also conducted at the end where Dr. Amee Nair and Prof. Shalini Rajkumar presented the highlights and discussed with the members and drew a great response from alumni members. The programme ended on a graceful note with vote of thanks by Dr. Kirti Verma, Secretary, ISNUAA.

Dr. Vrushank Dave presented very interesting and complex findings regarding the gene PTEN, which demonstrated role of post-translational modifications playing role in gene expression which might have been missed if only genetic sequence was considered. The talk was followed by interaction with faculty and students. He also discussed about the possibilities of collaboration under the IMPACT initiative of Nirma University.

The 13th Foundation day of Institute of Science – Nirma University was celebrated on 13th September, 2017 and a Public lecture was organized to commemorate the event. On the occasion, the noted Scientist from NCCS, Pune, Dr. Bhaskar Saha (recipient of prestigious CSIR Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award) delivered the public lecture on “Twenty Five Years in Indian Science: Struggle for Freedom”. Dr. Bhaskar Saha is an immunologist, cell biologist and a senior scientist at National Centre for Cell Science, Pune. He is known for his contributions in the fields of immunology and cell signaling. He is an elected fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India and Indian Academy of Sciences.
The programme was graced by the Honorable Director General, Nirma University, Dr. Anup Singh, Prof. Sarat Dalai, Director – Institute of Science, Invited guests, faculty members, research scholars and students. The event was coordinated by Prof. Shalini Rajkumar. The Ph.D. students of Institute of Science also displayed their research activity by presenting posters.

Institute of Science, Nirma University, had organized Orientation Programme for the new batch (2017-2019) enrolled under the M.Sc. Biotechnology, Microbiology and Biochemistry programmes from various states of India. Dr. Anup Singh, Director General, Nirma University, presided over the Inaugural Function, and Chief Guest for the function was Dr. Swati Patankar, Professor at the School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, IIT Mumbai. Prof. Sarat K. Dalai, Director, Institute of Science welcomed all the students and their parents. Dr. Swati Patankar delivered a talk on “Study of protein trafficking in Apicomplexan in Plasmodium falciparum”. Dr. Anup Singh delivered Presidential speech welcoming the new students. Dr. Sonal R Bakshi, Coordinator for Orientation Programme, proposed vote of thanks. During 3rd to 7th July, various expert talks by eminent speakers from reputed organizations of Gujarat related to current research, personality development, novel modes of learning, career guidance, University rules and regulations, use of library resources, anti-ragging, student welfare board activities, placement, women development cell, etc. were arranged. During the week, students were also offered laboratory orientation rounds by faculty members. All these sessions were motivating and informative for the new comers.

Prof. (Dr.) Shalini Rajkumar was invited for a talk in International Conference on "Advances in Biotechnology” jointly organized by Society for Biotechnology Research, USA; American University of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE and King Saud University, Saudi Arabia which was held during July 10-12, 2017 at Dubai, UAE. The title of her talk was "The biochemical and molecular basis of succinate mediated (catabolite) repression of mineral phosphate solubilization in nitrogen fixing Klebsiella pneumoniae” which she presented in the session on “Agricultural Biotechnology.”

Mr. Hasit Trivedi, Junior Assistant, Institute of Science received the Best Staff Member Award from Nirma University for the year 2016 on 18th March, 2017. It is an honour received for his contribution to the Institute Administration. He looks after Student's Section and manages admissions of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, registrations, online feedback by students as well as overall administration of Institute. He is also assisting in development of MIS and helps in management of Website of Institute of Science. He has always been punctual and sincere in all the activities he is involved.

A workshop for faculty members, research scholars, industry personals and students on "Molecular Biology Techniques: Cloning to Expression" was conducted during 16 to 18 January, 2017 by Institute of Science, under the aegis of Center of Continuing Education, Nirma University. The workshop was sponsored by ICMR, New Delhi and supported by Orange Biotech, Chennai. Dr. Shalini Rajkumar was Coordinator and Dr. Rajeev Tyagi was Co-coordinator for this workshop. The main objective of the workshop was to train young researchers and faculty members in techniques of recombinant DNA technology and acquaint them for research in molecular biology. This was achieved through brief theoretical sessions followed by hands on training. The workshop got very good response and total 16 participants attended the workshop, which included five internal students, three external students, three external research scholars, two external faculties and three industry personnel. The sessions were conducted by our internal faculty Dr. Shalini Rajkumar supported by her research scholars.

Dr. P.C. Kesavan, Distinguished Fellow (Honorary); M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai delivered a very interesting talk entitled "Observations on (a) The Mechanisms of Chemical Radioprotection and (b) Assumption of Genetic Effects at Low Doses of Ionising Radiation" on 22nd December 2016 at Institute of Science, Nirma University.
Students of M.Sc. and Ph.D. along with concerned faculty members from Institute of Science and Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University attended the talk and interacted with him regarding scope of plant based radio protecting agents.

Dr. Suraksha Agarwal, Professor at Dept. of Medical Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute, Lucknow, delivered a talk on “MHC IN TRANSPLANTATION” on 19th December, 2016 at Institute of Science, Nirma University. The lecture was very enlightening for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students as it covered all the basics related to the topic. It was an interactive session for students and they got a chance to clear their concepts related to antigen processing, transplantation and bottlenecks involved in the process.

Institute of Science with the stewardship of Prof. Sarat Dalai organized a National Conference on “Malaria Parasite Biology: Drug Designing & Vaccine Development” during September 9 & 10, 2016 under the aegis of Nirma University. It was indeed a meeting of its own kind in which eminent malaria scientists from all over India came forward to discuss one of the biggest challenges of humanity, human malaria parasites. The major objective was to develop novel approaches to introduce effective therapeutic interventions against human malaria parasite. Dr. Reinhard Glueck, CSO, Vaccine Technology Center, Zydus Cadila was the chief guest and Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Member Secretary, GUJCOST was the guest of honour for inauguration program. Dr. Anup Singh, Director General, Nirma University presided over the inauguration program. Dr. Rajeev Tyagi and Dr. Pranati Sar were the coordinators of this conference. More than 250 participants attended the conference including M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, faculty members, scientists, industry personals, etc. There were lecture sessions on themes like parasite biology, informatics, drug designing/drug resistance and immunology & vaccine, delivered by eminent scientists from renowned institutions of India. The students participated very actively in the poster presentations where they got opportunities to discuss and interact with experts comprehensively. As outcome of this conference, the proposed strategies included Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT), Transmission blocking regimen and targeting DNA repair mechanism as a plausible solution to malaria infection.

The Third module of Faculty Development Programmes at Institute of Science was a Workshop on Functional Genomics and Proteomics which was held during 9th - 10th February 2016 and was coordinated by Dr. Heena Dave. The primary objective of the workshop was to provide a forum to educate faculty members with the latest developments in one of the fastest growing field of Genomics and Proteomics and their applications in the various diseases. It was intended to keep faculty members abreast with the recent developments in Genomics and proteomics and sharpen the edge in research as well as teaching-learning process. It was attended by faculty members of Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ganpat University and Ph.D. students.

The cell culture workshop was organized by Dr. Amee Nair and Dr. Sonal Bakshi at Institute of Science during 2nd to 4th February, 2016. It was attended by a faculty, 4 Ph.D. students, and 4 M.Sc. students from St Xavier’s College, M.S. University, IIT Gandhinagar, Central University Gandhinagar, and M.Sc. Biochemistry, and Biotechnology of Institute of Science, Nirma University.

Three-day hands-on workshop included cell culture methods related to suspension culture and adherent culture, basics of cell culture lab establishment and maintenance, sterile practices, etc. guided through lectures, practicals and videos. The participants were from biological as well as engineering and material science backgrounds and were focused and interested to fill the knowledge gaps hence this was a truly inter-disciplinary team. Dr. Amee Nair conducted animal house and hepatocyte culture related experiments. Dr. Sonal Bakshi conducted human blood short term culture experiments. All the participants were actively involved in hands-on practicals, interactive lectures, and examination that helped them summarize both the topics and clarify any doubts over the discussion that followed. In addition to workshop manual as useful reference material and videos were also given in soft copies to each member. The participants found the workshop very interesting, informative, and useful. They also appreciated the facility, hospitality, and involvement of Ph.D. students of Institute of Science, Madhvi, Suhani, Shikha, Aditi, and Navin during the practical work.

The Second module of Faculty Development Programmes at Institute of Science was a Workshop on Systems Biology which was held on 16th December, 2015. The primary objective of the workshop was to provide a forum to educate faculty members with the latest developments in one of the fastest growing field of life science, systems biology. It was intended to keep faculty members abreast with the recent developments in systems biology and sharpen the edge in research as well as teaching-learning.

The Faculty Development Programmes have been arranged at Institute of Science in three modules. The first module was a Workshop on Microscopy and Imaging Techniques by the Olympus and DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi for faculty members on 4-5, December 2015. This was academic initiative of the DSS Imagetech involving lectures and hands-on demonstration of motorized fluorescence microscope. The lectures by Mr. Brijesh Alva included Basics of Microscopy and contrast techniques, Optical Slicing techniques, F-techniques and TIRF Microscopy, Super-Resolution: Scanning vs Localization Techniques, Confocal and Deconvolution, Automated Multipoint imaging and Switching of Multipoint images, 3D rendering, and Co-localization. The second day sessions included demonstrations by Mr. Vishal Sahu on basics like Anatomy of the Microscope, optimizing settings, transmitted light and fluorescence, advanced image analysis, differential interference contrast etc. using standard slides. Some of the Ph.D. students also attended the hands-on session. The workshop provided excellent opportunity to refresh the basics and updating recent advances in the field of microscopy. The participants appreciated valuable learning with the help of the experts from DSS Imagetech and Olympus.

Dept. of Molecular Medicine Pathology, University Of Auckland, New Zealanddelivered a talk on

"Discovery and Characterization of a Novel ABL1 Fusion; SHIP1/ABL1 in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia"

It was an excellent overview of laboratory approaches to discovery of genes playing role in leukemia by meticulous and research oriented cancer diagnostic laboratory. The importance of scientific validation of laboratory findings was emphasized, students interacted for career guidance in addition to her presentation. It was a very useful and inspiring talk.